An analysis of juvenile red rock lobster growth around New Zealand, based on existing length and mark-recapture based growth information, is reported here. The time lag from puerulus settlement to recruitment in stock assessment models is highly likely to be 2–3 years, when this occurs at 30–35 mm tail width (TW). Annual growth increment at 30 mm TW is about 9 mm based on Stewart Island growth information, about 12 mm at Gisborne, and potentially faster along the north coast North Island.

CPUE indices were derived for a number of key hoki fisheries that catch a relatively high proportion of young (2–6 yr) fish. The resultant CPUE indices were partitioned by age class to determine a time series of indices for individual year classes. The CPUE indices from the WCSI North and Snares fisheries have the potential to inform the hoki assessment model regarding the relative strength of recent recruitment to the western hoki stock.

An acoustic survey of the orange roughy (Hoplosthethus atlanticus) stocks off the Mid-East Coast of the North Island was carried out in June 2021 by NIWA onboard research vessel Tangaroa. The survey was conducted using deep-towed acoustic systems which combine narrow and broadband echosounders and operate dual frequencies. Mark-identification trawls were carried out to collect biological data, track the progression of the spawning, and inform the species composition of the spawning aggregations.

This report describes the survey estimates for blackfoot pāua landed by amateur fishers from land-based access points in the Kaikōura Marine Area, Ward Beach, and Marfells Beach during a 3-month open season from 1 December 2021. This area had been closed to recreational and commercial fishers for five years following significant earthquakes caused coastal uplift and habitat damage. The survey also recorded catch of red rock lobster and estimated land-based harvest.

This report updates the Mid-East Coast orange roughy stock assessment for 2022. The fishery, observational data from trawl surveys, acoustic surveys, and age and length composition data, and the assessment model structure and assumptions are described. The stock was estimated to be below the depletion target range but slowly rebuilding. A hypothesis of skipped spawning was used to explain a high estimated age of first spawning. The assessment was accepted for providing scientific advice.

This report provides a survey on the afforestation intentions for exotic and indigenous forest, and deforestation intentions for planted forest up until 2030.

The 22nd acoustic survey of spawning hoki abundance in Cook Strait was carried out using the research vessel Kaharoa from 19 July to 22 August 2021. Six acoustic snapshots gave an acoustic abundance index of hoki for Cook Strait in 2021 of 159 000 t. Spawning areas off the east coast South Island (ECSI) were also surveyed in 2021 using RV Kaharoa and the industry vessel San Granit. The average acoustic estimate for Pegasus Canyon, the major eastern spawning area off the ECSI, was 102 000 t.

Catch and effort data from 1 October 1989 to 30 September 2018 (1989–90 to 2017–18 fishing years) for blue cod (Parapercis colias) in stock area BCO 3 (east coast South Island of New Zealand) was summarised and an index of biomass using standardised catch per unit effort (CPUE) estimated. The standardised CPUE series was based on positive catch record data from Statistical Areas 024 and 026 because of few catch records from the cod potting fishing method from other statistical areas.

A bottom trawl survey of the east coast South Island (ECSI) at 10–400 m depths was carried out using R.V. Kaharoa (trip code KAH2104) from 28 April to 12 June 2021. The core (30–400 m) survey was the thirteenth in the winter ECSI inshore time series (1991–1994, 1996, 2007–2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2021). Four shallow strata (10–30 m), included in 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018, were again surveyed in 2021 to monitor elephantfish and red gurnard over their full depth range.